Spurs fans were less than impressed with centre-back Toby Alderweireld’s admission that he was surprised about Mauricio Pochettino’s sacking; after the Argentinian was relieved of his duties at the club on Tuesday night.
Alderweireld, who is valued at £36 million (as per Transfermarkt), admitted that he was surprised by Pochettino’s sacking but felt that the squad have to accept the decision and try and change their current situation as quickly as possible. The 30-year-old defender, who joined from Atletico Madrid in 2015, has been one of several players who look to be running their contract down, with a likely exit in the summer.
After Spurs failed to move Alderweireld on in the summer, his performances have suffered, with the Belgian international averaging a 6.7 rating so far this season. Despite making 176 appearances for Spurs in his four years with the club, in which time he established himself as arguably one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, many Spurs fans feel that the former Southampton man’s contract stance and disappointing displays were a big part of why Pochettino was sacked.
Reaction from Spurs fans to Alderweireld’s Pochettino comments can be seen in the tweets below.
Yawns snake
— Son Huey Miin (@huatahtottenham) November 20, 2019
Don’t you want to leave the club for free Toby!! Maybe you are one of the players who have helped get him sacked
— pabs (@pabs96608319) November 20, 2019
He brought you to the next level, from Southampton to Tottenham.
You wouldn’t have been able to be the level of footballer you are today without him.
— Manny (@MannyTHFC) November 20, 2019
Course u are Toby U were one of the players that stopped playing for him. Watch your highlight reel from Brighton away!!!!
— Justin Stevens (@jstevens123) November 20, 2019
Toby is part of the problem
— Mø?t (@lil_tanguy) November 20, 2019
Hw can you be surprise when you guys let the coach down
— kwaku Amponsah (@qwaqu_diallo) November 20, 2019
That’s a lie
— Anto™Spurs (@KunguSankale) November 20, 2019
Spurs fans were clearly not sympathetic to Alderweireld and feel as if he was one of the main reasons behind Pochettino’s sacking.
What do we think?
Although Spurs have been in dreadful form, it is a surprise that Pochettino has been sacked after all he has done for the club, including reaching the Champions League final. Players like Alderweireld not performing to their best ability has seriously let Pochettino down and he will be cursing the fact that he was unable to sell the Belgian, amongst others, in the summer.
It will be interesting to see if Alderweireld’s performances can improve under new boss Jose Mourinho.